Ameren Thanksgiving Day Parade

Nobody prepares for Thanksgiving like they do for Christmas (or even Halloween), at least if they're not handling the cooking. For most of us, there's no frantic run-up to the holiday, and very little excitement once we get there. It's just a day off followed by a shopping event with copious eating in between. But for the members of the high school marching bands and civic groups preparing to appear in the Ameren Thanksgiving Day Parade, the holiday is a big deal. There are practices, meetings and last-minute preparations, all part of a concerted effort to celebrate the fact that America has survived countless crises since the Mayflower landing and remains standing. This year's parade starts at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, November 22, at 20th and Market streets (www.christmasinstlouis.com) and then heads east, with more than 130 participating units and inflatables. Santa Claus brings up the rear.